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The morning after a season-ending loss, harping on the details of the failure seem pointless. There are no more adjustments or lessons to be learned, the season is over and it is time to move on to another important offseason.
Of course, there were team flaws that exposed themselves in Game 7 that will be part of the offseason discussion. Most notably in my eyes, the clunky start to the second half which found the Pacers way out of sync and forced them into the first hole they had to dig out of which is no way to play Game 7 on the road.
The other glaring issue, when the Pacers fought for a stop down three with 26 seconds left and Frank Vogel called a timeout despite three Raptors still on the floor under the basket and at least a two-on-three transition opportunity picking up steam.
In both cases, the type of trust in one another, whether between the players and players and coach, that a strong team needs to play big in big moments was lacking. So now the offseason begins. Actually, it was jump-started right after the final buzzer by the following Woj tweets.
Sources: Indiana coach Frank Vogel's contract expires at season's end and so far there's been no discussion of a contract extension.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) May 2, 2016
Vogel would have intense appeal on the market. He could be patient with choosing a new job -- if he doesn't return to Indiana.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) May 2, 2016
Vogel's return is no guarantee, but neither is his departure. The Pacers didn't play in a style that Larry Bird wanted to at the outset of the season, but I'd say Vogel made the best of an effort to change considering the pieces Bird gave him to work with in a transition year.
So while we consider roster changes, the initial big questions are higher up in the organization. Will Larry Bird remain as team president? If so, will Frank Vogel return as coach?
The NBA comes at you fast even while you are still working through a Game 7 loss.
Check out the links:
Game Rewind: Pacers 84, Raptors 89 (Game 7) | Indiana Pacers
Pacers Show Growth, Promise in First Year with New Core | Indiana Pacers
Insider: Paul George, Pacers look to build on season
Season wrap: Pacers took turn for better | WFNI ESPN 1070 the Fan | Indy's SportsCenter
Doyel: George, Turner, Vogel give Pacers needed pieces
Doyel: Pacers' best not quite enough in Game 7
Despite loss, Paul George's brilliance reminds us that he's back - NBA- ESPN
Raptors dispatch Pacers in Game 7, Heat await | Toronto Star
After 21 years, and seven games, the Raptors and their fans can breathe: Arthur | Toronto Star
Toronto Raptors slay Game 7 demons, move on with win over Indiana Pacers | National Post
Raptors beat Pacers to move on to round two, and a nation breathes - Raptors HQ
Nobody looked more miserable at the Pacers-Raptors game than Larry Bird | For The Win
Forecast Looks Bright for Pacers Franchise's Future | Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers' Game 7 Comeback Falls Short vs Raptors
Pacers season ends in Toronto, Paul George says ‘I learned what I was made of’ | Vigilant Sports
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